A good at-home face mask is a treat for your skin, delivering potent ingredients that target your specific concerns so that you can more through the world with confidence. Masks come in a plethora of different formulations, from clay masks to sheet masks to pricey LED light therapy masks. But if you're unwilling to exceed your budget and don't have time to create a homemade face mask, your best bet is to visit your local drugstore. There, you can find hydrating, acne-targeted, glow-boosting, K-beauty masks with impressive results at affordable prices.
Since there are so many products on the market, we reached out to celebrity dermatologists Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil and Dr. Rachel Nazarian to share the drugstore face masks they recommend to all their patients. We also threw in a couple of tried-and-true favorites, so you can screenshot this list for your next drugstore run.
Best Drugstore Face Mask or Dry Skin
"This mask is super effective for moisturizing dry skin types and it’s cheap," says Dr. Mudgil. He particularly loves this formula because it contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates skin in the long-term and, with consistent use, can make skin smoother and brighter.
Pros: Expert-approved; contains hyaluronic acid; lightweight essence
Cons: Single-use packaging is unsustainable
Best Drugstore Face Mask for Oily Skin
Dr. Nazarian recommends fragrance-free, non-comedogenic options like this purifying mask from Cetaphil, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you have acne, potential irritants like fragrance can aggravate breakouts. Although this mask controls sebum production, it's also infused with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil, which Dr. Nazarian says will prevent the formula from over-drying your skin.
Pros: Expert-approved; eradicates breakouts; doesn't over-dry skin
Cons: More expensive than most of its competitors
Best Drugstore Face Mask for Dehydrated Skin
This overnight mask is like a refreshing glass of water for your skin. The ultra-hydrating, cream-based product is formulated with avocado oil and nourishing fatty acids. Like all of Burt's Bees' products, it also smells fantastic, in my opinion, with a lightweight, calming scent that lulls me to sleep.
Pros: Editor-approved; hydrating; easy to use; cruelty-free
Cons: May be too thick for acne-prone or combination skin
Best Drugstore Face Mask for Body Acne
When I'm very stressed, I tend to break out all over my back and chest. While I respond by treating those areas with the same actives (like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) that I would treat a facial breakout with, my back also benefits from exfoliation during such times. This polishing mask, which I picked up on a whim, works wonders, with its sugar crystals that melt as you massage them into your skin.
Pros: Editor-approved; great for both face and body
Cons: Exfoliating sugar can be irritating for wounds or sensitive acne
Best Brightening Drugstore Face Mask
This mask is satisfying to apply and peel off, but it also packs a punch. Its active ingredients, which include papaya extract and grapefruit seed extract, refresh and brighten skin without irritating it, making this a great alternative for those who can't tolerate retinol. Another key ingredient, glycerin, hydrates for a more even complexion.
Pros: Includes hydrating, dermatologist-approved ingredients; gentle; cruelty-free
Cons: Contains fragrance, which could be irritating for sensitive skin
Best Drugstore Sheet Mask with Retinol
Multiple reviewers rave about how much softer their skin felt after just one use of this face mask. For that, they can thank this product's power combo of hyaluronic acid and retinol, the first of which hydrates skin while the second speeds up skin cell production to reveal newer, brighter skin.
Pros: Contains potent ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid; cute design; softening
Cons: Retinol may be irritating for those with very dry or sensitive skin—consult with your dermatologist before using a retinol
Best Drugstore Face Mask for Sunburnt Skin
You should be wearing sunscreen every single day (yes, even on your face!). But if you forget, or if your SPF is no match for the sun's oft-harsh rays, try this soothing sunburn solution.
For Extra Oily Skin
This two-in-one cleanser and mask, if you choose to leave it on, acts as a deep-cleaner for clogged pores caused by oil build-up. "This mask contains benzoyl peroxide, which makes it great for acne-prone skin, especially for those on the more oily end of the spectrum," Mudgil explains.
For Acne-Prone Skin
This thing has been an Amazon gem for years with wildly-positive reviews, and we've gotta say, we've get it. It decongests pores in just minutes, especially if you're dealing with an intent or stubborn breakout.
For Sensitive Skin
This hypo-allergenic, papaya-infused mask is ideal for sensitive skin in need of a clarifying reboot.
For Blackheads
African black soap is a clarifying all-star, and this mask is given an extra boost of tea tree oil to unclog congested pores.
For Sensitive Skin
If Bioré strips were your preeten savior, this mask is your more adult BFF. It warms up on contact, making it a fabulous addition to your nighttime routine.
For Early Mornings
Much like a green juice will make you feel better about your choices, this reinvigorating mask will absolve you of your skincare skins (we fall asleep in our makeup too, okay?). Even better, this ginger-y option is only $3.50, so you can stock up in one go.
For Acne-Prone Skin
It's a classic for a reason. This no-frills clay mask will take an angry, congested T-zone and turn it back to its flawless original state.
For Fragrance-Free Fans
Even when we're pampering ourselves, sometimes we don't want to be overwhelmed by fragrance. This simple yet smoothing option has powerful ingredients without the added perfume: soothing blue sea kelp keeps things supple, while cucumber seed powder gently exfoliates for added smoothness.
For Plant Lovers
Humans have looked to their gardens for nourishing skincare for years, and this affordable option seizes the power of two natural staples. Strawberry and rosemary eliminate impurities, while yarrow helps to clarify and cleanse the skin.
For Oily Skin
$7 for a clear T-zone? Sign us TF up. It has two types of clay to help exfoliate and absorb excess oil and sebum, so we like to spot treat and use this exactly where the shininess tends to take over.
For A Hangover
So you went a little too far last night. Your face is puffy, your brain is moving at half speed, and your complexion is probably feels the driest it's ever been. Fear not, because if you leave this soothing sheet mask in the fridge to wake up to, its coconut and caffeine with take the swelling down and make you feel a little less miserable.
For Angry Skin
Bioderma is famously suited to sensitive skin—you've probably heard of the brand's classic micellar water—and this mask is just as iconic. It'll zap redness and take your skin back to baseline after a breakout.
For Dark Spots
Bubble, bubble, toil, and....brighten? That's how it goes right? Anyway, this fizzy delight of a mask contains vitamin C to spruce up a dull complexion and lift dark spots.
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Gabrielle Ulubay is a Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. She has also written about sexual wellness, fashion, culture, and politics both at Marie Claire and for publications like The New York Times, Bustle, and HuffPost Personal. She has worked extensively in the e-commerce and sales spaces since 2020, including two years at Drizly, where she developed an expertise in finding the best, highest quality goods and experiences money can buy. As a film school graduate, she loves all things media and can be found making art when she's not busy writing.
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